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Lou Jimenez
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Lou Jimenez2025-11-26 18:01:072025-11-26 22:35:44A Growing City, a Shrinking Fire Department: Bethlehem Deserves Better
2nd Platoon members currently on scene 133 West Union Blvd for a working high occupancy fire please avoid the area. #staffingmatters ... See MoreSee Less
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Our 4th Platoon responded to a dwelling fire reported in the 1000 Block of Center Street at approximately 1633 hours today. Members of Local 735 reporting for night shift staffed whatever apparatus we could muster (including inspector vehicles) to get manpower to the scene.
Many of our front line apparatus were already dedicated at that time to handling a major gas strike/leak on Fritz Drive, involving mass evacuations that required many of our members from 2nd Platoon to go door to door with the help of officers from Bethlehem Star Lodge #20 FOP to ensure everyone's safety in an expanding radius.
The fire on Center Street was expeditiously suppressed and contained to the upper floor/attic space of the residence, thankfully with no injuries to report. Many thanks to Allentown Fire Local 302 Allentown International Association of Firefighters for backing us up when the fire went 2nd Alarm, our Bethlehem Police, City of Bethlehem EMS and Nancy Run Fire Company. When we continue to work as a team we can make hard times better.
Photo Credit 📷: Northeast Bravest
#IAFF #Local735 #Bethlehemsbravest #PPFFA #staffingmatters ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨WAITING IS NOT A PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY🚨
We are honored to see our Local recognized in the Spring 2026 edition of Fire Fighter International magazine. Out of more than 360,000 IAFF members across the United States and Canada, the work being done here in Bethlehem is being noticed. (Link in comments)
This recognition belongs to our members, our supporters, and the residents who continue to advocate for a stronger fire department and safer community.
Bethlehem is growing, and a growing city deserves a public safety model that grows with it. Local 735 will continue to be proactive, not reactive, in advocating for safe staffing, firefighter safety, and the protection of our community.
Our work is being seen. Our message is being heard. But most importantly, the conversation is growing.
WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED
#IAFF #PPFFA #Local735 #BethlehemsBravest #Staffingmatters 🇺🇸🚒 ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨STAFFING MATTERS BEFORE THE FIRE STARTS🚨
Shortly before 6:00 a.m. this morning, 4th Platoon members were dispatched to the 500 block of West Union Blvd for a working structure fire that quickly escalated to a 3rd Alarm due to entrapment and heavy fire conditions/exposure concerns.
Lines were stretched, ladders were thrown, searches were conducted, and crews worked aggressively to bring the fire under control while protecting neighboring homes and the surrounding community. One firefighter was transported to the hospital.
A total of 18 Bethlehem firefighters responded to this 3rd Alarm blaze. National fire service standards such as NFPA 1710 recommend significantly higher staffing levels for initial structure fire operations, especially in occupied residential settings with exposure concerns. Fires do not wait for ideal conditions, extra manpower, or convenient timing, and today’s incident once again highlighted why adequate staffing matters for both firefighter safety and the protection of our residents.
Despite staffing challenges, firefighters once again answered the call and got the job done safely and professionally. We appreciate the assistance of Nancy Run Fire for assisting and responding with their air truck.
Proud of the work put in by all companies operating this morning. 🚒🇺🇸#IAFF #PPFFA #Local735 #StaffingMatters ... See MoreSee Less
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This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom.
From all of us at Bethlehem Firefighters Association, we thank those who gave everything in service to this nation. We will never forget. 🇺🇸🚒
#MemorialDay #IAFF #ppffa #local735 #bethlehemsbravest #staffingmatters ... See MoreSee Less
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🔥LIVES ON THE LINE🔥
Bethlehem continues to grow.
But firefighter staffing continues to remain stagnant.
Local 735 has formally notified City leadership regarding a federal SAFER Grant opportunity designed to strengthen frontline staffing and emergency response capabilities.
We are also calling for the ongoing Fire & EMS study to be presented publicly once completed. Taxpayer dollars are funding this process, and the residents of Bethlehem deserve the opportunity to hear the findings and recommendations directly from the organization conducting the study.
We will not stop advocating for firefighter safety and the protection our community deserves.
Read the memorandum below.
#IAFF #PPFFA #Staffingmatters
#Local735 #Bethlehemsbravest 🇺🇸🚒 ... See MoreSee Less
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🇺🇸 Stars and Stripes Assist 🇺🇸
Today, members of the Fourth Platoon had the opportunity to lend a helping hand to our friends at Bethlehem North Skilled Nursing by assisting with repairs to their flagpole.
Sometimes the job is about more than emergency response, it’s about being there for the community in any way we can. We were proud to help restore a symbol that means so much to so us.
Thank you to the staff at Bethlehem North for everything you do caring for our residents there each and every day. Small acts of service and community partnership like this continue to make Bethlehem a special place to call home. #IAFF #PPFFA #Local735 #Communityengagement 🇺🇸🚒🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less
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